Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

Personal Interest

Personal & Prejudicial Interests

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Executive.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.  (Questions must be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting on the card provided.  These are available at the meeting. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

No public questions were submitted.

To report on the submission of a petition requesting that the Council continue to support Friends of Parks Groups task days and parks volunteering.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) informing the Executive Meeting of the submission of a petition entitled ‘Save Stockport’s Parks’ that had received 145 signatures. The petition called on the Council to provide greater support to Friends of Groups and to support volunteering in parks.

In response, the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) stated that he was committed to improving the relationship between volunteers and the Council, restating comments made at a recent Greenspace Forum that the Council appreciated and valued the contribution that volunteers made to parks and green spaces. Furthermore, he stated that he had taken steps to ensure that the Council would provide as soon as possible:-

•      risk assessment training for volunteers;

•      employee liability insurance cover for task days and signposting for financial support for event insurance;

•      a revised events application process;

•      a new task day application process; and

•      provide support through the Greenspace Team to help volunteer groups access grants from third parties, support event applications and assist with the provision of materials and equipment for their task days.

The Executive Councillor also stated that he had asked officers to look into how the Council might further improve the offer to Friends of Groups through Solutions SK staff supporting volunteers during the working week within the limits of existing resources.

Finally, the Executive Councillor stated that he would be attending the meeting of the Greenspace Forum in September to provide more detailed proposals to address some of the issues highlighted by Forum.

RESOLVED – That the petition be received and the response of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability)

This report provides information on the Stockport town centre access package and transport interchange major transport schemes. These schemes are both included within the Greater Manchester Growth Plan prioritised list of major transport schemes and funding has been allocated for their delivery from 2015. The report summarises the key features of the schemes and the work required to gain approval from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to deliver these schemes.

The Executive is requested to approve the report, approve the proposals for identifying and securing the local contribution (match funding requirement) and request that officers work with Transport for Greater Manchester to develop the Stockport Town Centre Access Package and Transport Interchange major schemes business cases including consulting on the proposals and undertaking the analysis and appraisals of the schemes.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Communities & Sustainability) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider proposals for major transport schemes to improve access to the Town Centre and the transport interchange. The proposals were included within the Greater Manchester Growth Plan and funding had been allocated for their delivery from 2015. Consultation on the schemes was due to begin in September 2014.

RESOLVED – That the Town Centre Infrastructure proposals contained in the report be approved, including the proposals for identifying and securing the local contribution (match funding requirement) and that officers be requested to work with Transport for Greater Manchester to develop the Stockport Town Centre Access Package and Transport Interchange major schemes business cases including consulting on the proposals and undertaking the analysis and appraisals of the schemes.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

At its meeting in July the Executive accepted a Medium Term Financial Forecast that indicated a budget reduction requirement of £22.453m for 2015/16.  Subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that were outlined to the Executive, that report also forecast a cumulative reduction requirement of £39.419m in 2016/17, rising to £64.5m by 2018/19.

In response to those forecasts, and in line with its previous deliberations and statements of intent, the Executive agreed the strategic framework for Investing in Stockport (IIS), a single programme of sustainable growth and public service reform in the Borough over the medium term. 

This report sets out the reforms proposed as part of the Investing in Stockport programme, and their potential implications and impact.  Business cases for each proposal are available as background papers to this report, with each in turn being supported by an activity and impact schedule; a consultation plan; and a draft Equalities Impact Assessment. The report also includes indicative cash limit budget allocations for 2015/16 and 2016/17.

The Executive is recommended to:

·         agree the indicative budget allocations and investment propositions set out in the report and the associated business cases;

·         ask the Corporate Leadership team and senior managers, in consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors, to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in the report;

·         agree that, as appropriate, proposals be resubmitted for the Executive’s approval as consultation exercises are completed and/or more detailed plans are prepared;

·         continue with the steps necessary to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2015/16 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2016/17 for presentation to the Council budget meeting in February 2015;

·         report to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit.

Officer contact: Steve Houston / Laureen Donnan; 0161 474 4000 / 3180

A joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the Medium Term Financial Forecast considered at the meeting on 15 July 2014, which indicated a budget reduction requirement of £22.453m for 2015/16, and a cumulative reduction requirement of £64.5m by 2018/19.

Previously the Executive had agreed a strategic framework for Investing in Stockport to respond to these forecasts, which was a single programme of sustainable growth and public service reform in the Borough over the medium term.

The report set out the reforms proposed as part of the Investing in Stockport programme and outlined their potential implications and impacts. The report also included indicative cash limit budget allocations for 2015/16 to 2016/17.

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) emphasised the need for reform and increased focus on prevention, digitisation and localisation of delivery where appropriate. The Executive Councillor and the Leader of the Council also invited other groups on the Council to bring forward suggestions.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2015/16 to 2016/17 and Investing in Stockport Executive Proposals:-

·         the indicative budget allocations and investment propositions set out in the report and associated business cases be approved;

·         the Corporate Leadership Team and senior managers, in consultation with the relevant executive councillors, be requested to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in the report;

·         proposals be resubmitted, as appropriate, for the Executive’s approval as consultation exercises were completed and/ or more detailed plans were prepared;

·         the steps necessary to agree a final balanced budget proposal for 2015/16 and an updated Medium Term Financial Plan to 2016/17 for presentation to the Budget Council Meeting continue to be taken;

·         a report be submitted to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle outlining the proposals relating to each committee’s remit.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Lifelong Learning & Achievement)

The Governing Body of Marple Hall School has published a statutory proposal to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The proposal falls to be determined by the Local Authority.

The Executive is requested to:

·         review and comment on the statutory proposal.

·         delegate the final decision for the proposal to the Corporate Director, Services to People, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Officer contact: Phil Beswick; 0161 474 3832, phil.beswick@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a proposal from the Governing Body of Marple Hall School to extend the age range of the School from 11-16 to 11-18 in order to provide sixth form education from September 2015. The School had published a statutory proposal but it was for the Council to determine and make a final decision by no later than 26 September 2014.

The Leader of the Council stated that the view of the Council was that should the consultation response indicate broad support for the proposals then it would be minded to agree to the extension.

RESOLVED – That the final decision on the proposal to extend the age range of Marple Hall School from 11-16 to 11-18 be delegated to the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services)

The current Risk Strategy was developed in 2007 and although changes have been made in the interim, the current pace of development with Council services requires an update and change of approach particularly in terms of the Council’s appetite for risk and how current and emerging risks are identified, evidenced and controlled. 

Consequently, the Council’s Risk Management Framework and Strategy has recently been fundamentally reviewed and comprehensively updated into a new draft by the Internal Audit and Risk Manager, in liaison with Corporate Leadership Team, Senior Management Group, Corporate Governance Group and other key stakeholders of the Council. The revised draft strategy was also considered and commented upon by the Audit Committee.

The Executive is recommended to approve the Council’s revised Risk Management Framework and Strategy. 

Officer contact: John Pearsall, 0161 474 4033, john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to adopt a new Risk Management Framework and Strategy to reflect the changing requirements of the Council since the last Risk Strategy was developed in 2007.

RESOLVED – That the revised Risk Management Framework and Strategy be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) and the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

This item consists of two reports. The First Update Corporate Performance and Resource Report (CPRR) provides an overview of progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2014/15, based on the Council Plan 2013/15 and the Medium Term Financial Plan 2013/17. It is supported by seven Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports which are published as background papers to this report (http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=21973).  These will be published ahead of the Executive meeting and considered in detail at the next cycle of Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader’s Report highlights a number of the Council’s significant achievements over the last quarter, along with providing an update on key decisions at GM level.

The Executive is asked to:

a)    review progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report;

b)   approve the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4;

c)    note the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in section 2.3;

d)   note the current position on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4;

e)    note the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8;

f)     note the position on earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9;

g)   note the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1;

h)   approve the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5;

i)     approve the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.3;

j)     note the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 4;

k)    identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any existing or forecast issues or risks.

Officer contact: Christine Buxton, Peter Owston; 0161 474 4124/ 3274; Christine.buxton@stockport.gov.uk / peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Executive Meeting with an update on progress in delivering the Council’s Priority Outcomes and budget during the first quarter of 2014/15.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a ‘Leader’s Report’ for the same quarter (copies of which had been circulated) highlighting a number of the Council’s significant achievements and significant AGMA and Combined Authority activity.

Executive councillors highlighted key issues and achievements within their portfolios.

RESOLVED – That

·         progress against delivering Council Plan priorities, portfolio outcomes and capital schemes alongside budget and performance forecasts contained within the report be noted;

·         the virements to the Revenue Budget set out in section 2.2.4 of the report be approved;

·         the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for 2014/15 as set out in section 2.3 of the report be noted;

·         the current position on the budget savings programme set out in section 2.4 of the report be noted;

·         the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report be noted;

·         the position on earmarked reserves and balances as set out in section 2.9 of the report be noted;

·         the forecast position for the 2014/15 Capital Programme as set out in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·         the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in 3.1.5 of the report be approved;

·         the resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.3 of the report be approved; and

·         the treasury review and activity during the first quarter as set out in section 4 of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

The report sets out the decision notices from the recent meetings of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)/ AGMA Executive Joint Meeting, AGMA Executive Board and GMCA meetings held on 27 June 2014.

The Executive is invited to note the decisions.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out decision taken by the (i) Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board Joint Meeting, (ii) the AGMA Executive Board and (iii) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Meeting held on 27 June 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.